Just ten days after Mexico announced it will drop its remaining import restrictions on Canadian beef, Taiwan has lifted its temporary ban on Canadian beef, effective July 8.
The ban was issued following the February 2015 case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in Alberta.
“The Government of Canada welcomes the news of another restored market,” said Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay in a statement. “This is an excellent opportunity for the Canadian cattle industry to export its high-quality Canadian beef to the global marketplace.”
Taiwan will allow imports of boneless and bone-in beef and other specified meat products from Canadian cattle under 30 months of age.
“Achieving this access will further enable the work Canada Beef is doing to increase the brand, value and the resulting loyalty for Canadian beef not only in Taiwan, but leveraging this into Southeast Asia,” noted Rob Meijer, president of Canada Beef, the national producer-funded beef marketing organization.
Taiwan currently imports 95 percent of its beef. Canada Beef says the re-opened market access will likely lead to “initial modest exports.” In 2014, Canada exported 1,776 tonnes, worth around $13 million, to Taiwan.
Meijer says they’re focusing their Canadian brand efforts on high-end steakhouses, food service and hotel restaurants.
“Canada Beef is already well-positioned and aligned with brand partners to take advantage of the market access. We want to thank the Taiwanese Government as well for this decision,” he said.
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